Many of us are aware of the impact, both positive and negative, the Christian Church has had on history, but I wonder if we can grasp the many unique aspects of the historical significance.
For example ... Who can tell me what the first English work to be published was and by whom? *go ahead, discuss amongst yourselves*
Yes! The New Testament and it was published by ... Exactly! William Tyndale in ... 1525-6!
I see you scratching your heads. Yes, the King Kames version was not published until 1611. What is the primary difference in these two texts?
Purpose! Tynsdale yearned, in fact was downright set on putting a copy of the Scriptures in every hand.
I had perceaved by experyence, how that it was impossible to stablysh the laye people ion any truth, excepte the scripture were playnly layde before their eyes in their mother tonge, that they might se the processe, ordre and meaning of the texte. (from the Preface to his Bible)
At the time Tynsdale published his translation in the "vulgar tongue", there existed a prohibition on such publications, so he was imprisioned and executed. His dying words were, "Lord, open the King of England's eyes." Just 10 years later, Tyndale's assistant, Coverdale, produced a very simliar translation, included a dedication to the King (Henry VIII), and was embraced and welcomed into English history.
The King James version, as stated on its title page, was published and appointed to be read in Churches (as opposed to the accepted Latin texts), which raised the notion of the "vulgar tongue" to national presence and an increased level of prestige.
Publication and prestige helped to standardize the various English dialects into a more clearly defined system. English had evolved from Old English, which strongly reflected the Germanic influences, to Middle English, which subsequently dropped many of the inflected endings and produced a language that looked and sounded more like the language we speak today. More than any other document or literary manuscript, the careful and painstaking process of the publication of the ancient texts has positively influenced education and the development of the English language.
Now you know! :) Otherwise we may have been speaking French ... Je t'aime! ;)
~ B
printing
